When you ask people who have visited or moved to Madison where they went first, eight out of ten will mention the Wisconsin State Capitol.

It's not just that the building is beautiful; you can actually experience history and architecture inside. Next, Memorial Union Terrace and Monona Terrace are often mentioned. These three places are within a 20-minute walk of each other, making it possible to visit them all in one day.

If you're coming to Madison for the first time, it's best to experience these three places first. It's not an exaggeration to say that the city's identity is encapsulated in these sites. To understand the city of Madison, start at these three locations, and the rest will follow naturally.

The Wisconsin State Capitol is located right in the heart of downtown Madison. Admission is free, and there are free tours available every day. It's special because it's the only state capitol dome in the U.S. built from granite.

The interior is filled with various works of art and historical symbols, and as you walk through and admire the architectural details, time flies by. It's just a 5-minute walk to Monona Terrace, making it convenient to visit both places together.

If you enjoy history and architecture, I recommend signing up for a tour to explore with a guide. During the legislative session, you can even observe the actual legislative process from the gallery. This openness of public institutions is a great aspect of American democracy.

Memorial Union Terrace is an outdoor space located right in front of Lake Mendota on the UW-Madison campus.

In the summer, colorful sunburst-patterned chairs face the lake, and enjoying a beer while watching the sunset is the quintessential Madison summer experience. It's a space where students, locals, and tourists naturally mix, so you don't need to do anything special to enjoy the atmosphere.

Live music performances are also frequent. If you go on a weekend evening, competition for seating can be quite fierce. If you visit Madison during the summer, it's hard to say you've truly experienced the city without spending an evening at Memorial Union Terrace.

The Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center is a work of art in itself. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1938, he completed the final design just seven weeks before his death in 1959, but the building was not completed until July 18, 1997.

It took nearly 60 years to complete. The view from the rooftop garden, overlooking Lake Monona, the downtown skyline, and the State Capitol dome, is spectacular. Public tours are available, and the rooftop garden is free to enter. The organic curves of Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture blend beautifully with the lake, impressing even those indifferent to architecture. It truly deserves its title as a landmark representing Madison.

In addition to these three places, there are many attractions in Madison. From Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Henry Vilas Zoo, UW-Madison Arboretum, to the State Street shopping district, it's rare to find so much content concentrated in one city. Starting from the State Capitol and walking along State Street, you'll find restaurants, cafes, and boutique shops leading up to the UW-Madison campus.

The biggest advantage of downtown Madison is that it's a walkable city. For first-time visitors, I recommend starting your day at the State Capitol, then continuing to Monona Terrace, State Street, and Memorial Union Terrace.